LOCH LOMOND, Scotland, 11 July 2003 — Ernie Els signalled his readiness for next week’s British Open by moving two shots clear of the field early in the rain-disrupted Scottish Open first round yesterday.
The British Open champion, rejuvenated following a fortnight’s break, reeled off seven birdies for a blemish-free 64 after heavy morning downpours had forced organizers to suspend play for four hours.
Els, who teed off at the par-four 10th, picked up shots on 13, 14, 15 and 18 holes to reach the turn in four-under-par 31.
He then birdied the first, sixth and seventh to consolidate his position at the top of the leaderboard as afternoon sunshine finally broke through at par-71 Loch Lomond.
Britain’s David Howell, who also teed off at the 10th, carded a five-under-par 66 to climb into second place, with compatriot Phillip Price, winner of last week’s European Open, a further stroke back on 67.
The 33-year-old Els won four titles in his first five tournaments of the year and, although unable to maintain that form since, is full of confidence for his British Open title defense at Royal St George’s next week.
“I feel I’m quite sharp and I feel it’s coming back (his early form),” said the world number two, who has not played tournament golf since tying for 11th at last month’s Buick Classic in the United States.
“The things I’m working on are coming through and I’m looking at good things to happen over the next couple of months.
“I played really well today and holed my fair share of putts,” said the 28-year-old Howell, who mixed seven birdies with a double-bogey seven at the 560-yard 13th. All in all, it was a good round.
“Driving on 13, I leaked it (the ball) on the right and it just went and went. Thankfully there were plenty of people to help find it but it was like a bog in there, real marshland.
“I wouldn’t say it was easy out there today. After the storm, there was the added problem of picking up mud on the ball. The course is playing long and soft, it’s like a dartboard.”
However, the lengthy rain delay in the morning meant that half the field of 156 had not teed off by late afternoon.
Among the late starters were world number eight Phil Mickelson, seven-times European number one Colin Montgomerie and twice US Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal, who all parred the 425-yard first after teeing off in the same group.
Woods to Skip
Pre-Open Irish Trip
Tiger Woods’ preparations for next week’s British Open will not include the trip to Ireland that has been a central part of his build-up in recent years.
In an announcement that will renew concerns that Woods is still not fully recovered from surgery on his left knee at the end of last year, the world number one’s management company IMG confirmed that Woods would fly straight to the Open from his home in Florida.
He is now expected to fly directly to the Open venue, Royal St. George’s at Sandwich on England’s Kent coast, on Sunday.
That will give him three full days of practice on the famous links before the action gets underway yesterday.
But it will mean Woods has had far less practice at playing golf in blustery seaside conditions than he traditionally does in the lead up to the British Open.
Woods has generally spent the entire week before the Open playing great Irish links courses such as Ballybunnion and Portmarnock as well as enjoying a spot of fishing in the company of his close friend Mark O’Meara. As well as allowing him to get over his jet lag in a relaxed fashion, the trip has enabled Woods to get used to playing the range of shots required for links golf, which are a world apart from those he needs week-in, week-out on the US tour.
It seems likely however that Woods has decided that what he would lose in terms of preparation would be made up for by the extra rest at home.
